Faithful in the Waiting: Trusting God to Provide

Impatiently, I tap my pen repeatedly on my desk as I painstakingly wait for a reply. Over and over, I replay in my mind different scenarios of how my news will be received. I know this is the right decision, one that I firmly believe God guided me to make. Yet, for several minutes I sit and wait for a reply that never comes...until the next day.

Though my decision was met with resistance, I remain confident in the action I took. I am even proud of myself for making a hard decision when my mental capacity was extremely overwhelmed. It was a decision made in obedience and in my faithfulness to serve God in a way I feel led to do so.

This year, I have struggled with decision making, and as soon as I make one, I instantly question if it's the right one. The difficulties I faced this year have taught me that often we have to do things we are uncomfortable doing so we can make room for what is coming.

What we don't often talk about, however, is the time in between. Where waiting feels like inactivity. It is in this space that we begin to feel discomfort and frustration builds. One of two things happens here. Either we hold fast and continue to wait while fretting. Or, we get impatient and force an action that we shouldn't have, resulting in a consequence we didn't account for. There is a third choice we fail to see. Take consistent action that aligns with what you hope the outcome will be. 

There is real frustration in waiting, and I can relate to it 100%. I have personally waited for clarity on finances, prayed for business growth, brainstormed book ideas, sought courage and strength, and even begged for my heart's desire to be a mother.

At the time, I was always met with silence and the knowing of the need to wait and be patient. In the waiting, I also learned that making wise use of the time waiting was the key to finding solutions to my problems. As I drew nearer to God in my waiting, my relationship with Him deepened as I put my trust in Him.

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;” Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I want to break down for you what faithful waiting is and what it is not.

Faithful waiting is:

• Obedience while you watch
• Consistency without results
• Trust without timelines
• Showing up when nothing seems to be moving

Faithful waiting is not:

• Doing nothing
• Living stuck or passive
• Forcing outcomes in your own strength
• Halting everything until God moves

Provision often comes after a faithful time of waiting. We learned this when Noah built the ark before the rain. We learned about it again when Abraham climbed the mountain before the ram appeared. Another lesson was when Ruth worked in the field before Boaz took notice of her. And one of my favorite lessons was when the disciples cast their nets before the miracle catch.

What these stories have shown me is that God's provision is often positioned ahead of us. The only way to activate it is by stepping forward! Taking action! It's my favorite thing to talk about in both of my books. Faith without action is stagnant.

Lately, I have been grouping my lessons to reach a specific audience to make them more relatable to you. I'll do the same here with some examples for you to implement. Choose the one(s) that fit you.

Business/Entrepreneurship: Showing up in the slow seasons is often where God prepares the breakthrough. Provision comes through consistency, not constant pivoting. There may be a time when we are directed to pivot, but showing up consistently where we already is key.

Writers/Authors: Provision may look like direction, ideas, opportunities to share, or divine timing. Do not stop. Writing faithfully even when no one sees it yet is sowing. Keep sowing!

Women of Faith: Waiting seasons refine our character, deepen our trust, and align our desires with God's. It's important to remember that provision isn't always a material thing. Sometimes it's peace, clarity, or strength for the next step.

Though the waiting was painful, I've gained clarity on finances, seen business growth, have come up with several book ideas, received courage and strength, and even fulfilled my heart's desire to be a mother through fostering. It has always been in God's way, not my own. I had to let go of the desire to control the outcome to fit the mold I had created, and allow God to show me what He had in store for me.

There is no luck in any of what I've been provided. There is only hard work, perseverence, resiliency, and a faith that could move mountains. Every time I was knocked down, told no, instructed to wait, or even rejected by those closest to me, I kept going.

God sees every seed planted, hears every prayer, and knows every hour of unseen work you do. Your waiting is never wasted. You are watering what He's preparing to provide.

Some reflection questions for you to consider (or journal):

• What is God asking me to remain faithful in right now?
• Am I waiting passively or actively?
• What provision have I overlooked because I was expecting something different?
• What obedience step can I take before I see results?

Praying for you as you faithfully await your provisioning.

With Grace, Shonda Ramsey